Search Results

LAKE -- Eppa Lake, 86, a resident of Belen, New Mexico for 81 years, passed form this life to be with the Lord Jesus on Thursday, January 22, 2004. Eppa moved from Arkansas to Belen, NM in 1922 when he was 5 years old, therefore he knew many of the old timers of Belen. He knew John Becker who brought the railroad to Belen and also started the First National Bank in his mercantile store. Eppa once delivered a telegram to him and John Becker gave him a five dollar tip which was a tremendous amount in those days. Senator Dennis Chavez came politicin' to the Lake house and set Eppa up on his knee. He also saw Eleanor Roosevelt (the president's wife) at the Belen depot. Eppa drilled many wells domestic, commercial and ranch. He once drilled a well for the Zuni Indians that was 1230 feet deep. Another was also drilled at the Grand Canyon for the Indian Service (Havasupi Indians). He also drilled and set up many windmills around the state. He knew much of the early history of Belen and Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents, E.G. and Lucille Hunton Lake of Belen; his son, Marlin Lake; his grandson, Mark Morerod; and his brothers, Edgar and Phil Lake. Eppa is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lucille Ness of Ada, MN; one daughter, Samia and her husband, Boyd Morerod of Los Chavez, NM; three sons, Steve Lake and his wife, Peggy of Harpursville, NY; David Lake of Belen; and Patrick Lake and his wife, Trish of Los Lunas, NM; ten grandchildren, Samial Morerod and his wife, Traci; Aaron Morerod and his wife, Tarah; April and Danielle Lake, all of Belen; Benjamin Eppa, Rebecca, Sarah and Rachel Lake of Harpursville, NY; Tacarra and Kaylin Lake of Los Lunas, NM; his brother, Gerald Lake and his wife Edythe of Albuquerque, NM; and his sisters, Mary Catherine Boucher of Belen; and Eleanor Love of Los Lunas, NM. Eppa is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. All services will be held at the First Baptist Church at 4th and Becker, on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 beginning with a visitation at 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to E. L. Lake Memorial fund. Romero Funeral Home 609 N. Main St. Belen 87002.
        Published on: Sun January 25, 2004